Podcast appearances and mentions of Jim Bolger

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visiting India before China could be seen as an insult in China, Beijing-based New Zealander David Mahon says. But he says China's recently announced strategic partnership with the Cook Islands, through which NZ was kept in the dark, shouldn't be viewed as insult to, or provocation of, NZ.Mahon, who is Managing Director of Mahon China Investment Management and has lived in China since 1984, spoke to interest.co.nz in a new episode of the Of Interest podcast.Luxon, who before the 2023 election said achieving a free trade agreement with India would be a major strategic priority for a National government, is set to visit India next month. He's yet to visit China as Prime Minister, but is expected to do so this year."If the Prime Minister had gone to China and conferred upon it as a great power the respect it deserved in the last year or so of his tenure, it'd be fine. But it's almost a statement of a diplomatic insult not going to China before going to India," Mahon said.He said potentially the prospects for NZ products in China over the next two to three years are very good, with China retaining a great need for protein, wanting to buy seafood, and NZ logs still selling reasonably well.However, Mahon suggested after a good relationship with China for many years, highlighted by the 2008 Free Trade Agreement (FTA), NZ is now seen as "a country of diplomatic infidelity.""And for most of my life, we've been the opposite of that. Under Helen Clark, John Key, Jim Bolger, we were the country that was respected. Now people are scratching their heads and saying, what's wrong with New Zealand? It seems to have lost its sincerity, its sense of loyalty."The recent signing of a China-Cook Islands comprehensive strategic partnership, which the NZ Government was kept in the dark over, shouldn't be viewed by NZ as an insult or provocation from China, Mahon said. The Cook Islands is a self-governing state in ‘free association' with NZ with its citizens having NZ passports."...what China is determined to do is to make sure that it retains this relationship with New Zealand, although New Zealand is struggling in many ways to hold up its end.""We shouldn't be too peevish that they [the Cook Islands] want to do a deal with someone with more money than us," Mahon said."In the end, China is going to invest throughout the Pacific, where it can. Part of it is that it wants to express its influence."The Cook Islands-China agreement reportedly includes plans for co-operation on seabed mining, the establishment of diplomatic missions and preferential treatment in regional and multi-lateral forums, but excludes security ties.An attraction of the Cook Islands deal for China will "definitely" be minerals, Mahon said."If you go back to the technological revolution, which is really what's occurring in Chinese manufacturing, they need these minerals very much," said Mahon. "China is actually very poor in resources."'China is full of Deep Seeks'Meanwhile, Mahon said recent surprise around Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) company Deep Seek highlights westerners taking their eye off China and its burgeoning technology sector."China's full of Deep Seeks. There are companies in China, the names of which we just have never heard of, that are about to change major sectors that influence our lives."So Deep Seek is like the first, I don't want to say shot across the bows because it makes a sort of military metaphor, but it is a flare, a signal.""This is what China's been focused on in the last 10 years. Getting away from making nylon socks and teddy bears and cheap stuff and making really good technology, really sophisticated technology. And so this is what's going to come out of China now in waves and make all our lives cheaper in terms of buying stuff that's important to us," said Mahon."And it's going to be a major challenge to the major tech companies of the West, creating the kind of competition that markets run on. Innovation's driven by it. So this should be perceived as a positive thing."In the podcast audio Mahon talks about these issues in more detail, plus this week's meeting between President Xi Jinping and Chinese business leaders, the "shameful scandal" of NZ immigration and visas "violating the spirit" of the FTA, China's relationship with the United States in the time of Donald Trump's second presidency, tariffs, trade war, and the "ghastly concept" of potential military conflict between China and the US, possibly over Taiwan."China doesn't want a war. China doesn't want to invade Taiwan. If China were to invade Taiwan, it would be out ofthe global financial system within hours. China within six months would face a massive economic crisis," he said.*You can find all episodes of the Of Interest podcast here.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to canter through this week's racing news. Guests today include Irish Champion jockey Jack Kennedy, who updates Nick on his progress as he recovers from yet another broken leg. Also on today's show, a lengthy chat with multiple Classic winning trainer Jim Bolger, who outlines his own plans for consolidation and eventual retirement, but not before he has unleashed some exciting prospects on this season's biggest races. Plus, Tom Magnier on the Magic Millions record breaking sales topper by first season sire Home Affairs, Dave Ord on the return of Salvator Mundi, and Dubai Racing Club farrier Julien Daublain on shoeing some of the world's best as they converge on the desert.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to canter through this week's racing news. Guests today include Irish Champion jockey Jack Kennedy, who updates Nick on his progress as he recovers from yet another broken leg. Also on today's show, a lengthy chat with multiple Classic winning trainer Jim Bolger, who outlines his own plans for consolidation and eventual retirement, but not before he has unleashed some exciting prospects on this season's biggest races. Plus, Tom Magnier on the Magic Millions record breaking sales topper by first season sire Home Affairs, Dave Ord on the return of Salvator Mundi, and Dubai Racing Club farrier Julien Daublain on shoeing some of the world's best as they converge on the desert.

During the summer Netwatch Cullen Park hosted the Hurling for Cancer Research match between Jim Bolger's Stars and Davy Russell's Best. All-Ireland winners from hurling and camogie along with soccer, rugby and racing stars all came along on the night to support this great cause. Many current players were also there, in this you'll hear their admiration of the legends of the past and their excitement at getting to play on the same pitch as Tommy Walsh, Jackie Tyrrell, Martin Storey and Larry O'Gorman. You can already but tickets for the 2025 game which will take place in Netwatch Cullen park on August 18th just follow this link Hurling for Cancer Research 2025| Fundraising Event Ireland

nterviewer Pat McNamara for SBCR, Seamus Brophy for CRKC  as well as Pat Jones from Scariff. Jim Bolger is a thoroughbred racehorse trainer and breeder based in Coolcullen, Co. Kilkenny  For many years, he has been recognised as one of the racing greats in Ireland. SBCR travelled to Kilkenny to carry out this interview in conjunction with our colleagues and friends in Community radio Kilkenny city which was RECORDED ON 5TH JULY 2024

presented by Ursula Hogan  -00.06 A fundraising cake sale and mini Eurovision event takes place this Saturday 20th July  in Scariff https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=7700608073326293&set=pcb.7700608233326277  with special guest Davy Fitzgerald. -00.36 Hurling for cancer match fundraiser taking place in August INTERVIEW WITH JIM BOLGER -  SBCR travelled to Kilkenny recently with Interviewer Pat McNamara for SBCR and Seamus Brophy for CRKC ( Community Radio Kilkenny city)  as well as Pat Jones from Scariff to visit the home and yard of Jim Bolger.  https://www.idonate.ie/event/hurlingforcancerresearch  INTERVIEW RECORDED ON 5TH JULY 2024 Originally broadcast 13th July 2024

Former Minister of Māori Affairs under a Jim Bolger, and a member of both NZ First and National Tau Henare joins us tonight to talk about what the current Government looks like compared to National and NZ First Governments that he was a part of. ==================================== Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

Former Minister of Maori Affairs under a Jim Bolger, and a member of both NZ First and National Tau Henare joins us tonight to talk about what the current Government looks like compared to National and NZ First Governments that he was a part of. Seems pretty clear that Joe Biden will be dropping out of the race for President and his likely successor will be Kamala Harris. This might not be to most peoples liking, but there are some very good reasons why she is the most likely nomination to put at the head of the ticket. UK goes to the polls tomorrow, a quick look at what to expect and if there is any hope at all for the Torys ==================================== Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

Des Groome grew up on Ballinderry Stud, Carbury, Co. Kildare, attended primary school in Edenderry and boarded in Clongowes 1981-1987. Des began study in the UCD Veterinary College in 1987 and graduated as a Veterinary Surgeon in 1993. He rode as an amateur NH jockey throughout school and university , had Summer jobs with John Oxx, Jim Bolger, John Hammond and combined his love of racing and equine medicine throughout his early career as a Vet. He was resident Vet to Champion trainer Martin Pipe and afterwards to Emir Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince and King of Saudi Arabia. Des settled in his native Kildare, founding Kildare Vet Surgery where his three boys Daniel, James and Tom have grown up. Des developed the first online vet service in Ireland, Videovet and then GymDog  the first of its kind fitness and wellness centre for pets, alongside the vet practice. His latest venture, A Pets Life is an online community of pet owners and a pet food ecommerce platform.  As Des had to drop Biz-Org to do Chemistry, he later had to study in the IMI under another OC, Mr Cormac Lucey and gained some knowledge of Finance and an MBS.in 2012. A love of athletics was fostered by cross country running in Clongowes and has completed all the big city Marathons. These days Des follows Clongowes and Leinster Rugby, still rides out on the Curragh and leads a peloton of mamils in Kildare Cycling Club notwithstanding two new hip joints. He hosts a weekly animal welfare radio slot on KFM Radio and podcasts A Pets Life on spotify. His son Daniel attended Clongowes until 2020 where his art talent was encouraged and he now studies in the NCAD. Tom is in poetry and working on his academy. Des has one remaining ambition which is to speak in the Past Vs Present Debate --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/portraitsofclongowes/message

Des Groome grew up on Ballinderry Stud, Carbury, Co. Kildare, attended primary school in Edenderry and boarded in Clongowes 1981-1987. Des began study in the UCD Veterinary College in 1987 and graduated as a Veterinary Surgeon in 1993. He rode as an amateur NH jockey throughout school and university , had Summer jobs with John Oxx, Jim Bolger, John Hammond and combined his love of racing and equine medicine throughout his early career as a Vet. He was resident Vet to Champion trainer Martin Pipe and afterwards to Emir Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince and King of Saudi Arabia. Des settled in his native Kildare, founding Kildare Vet Surgery where his three boys Daniel, James and Tom have grown up. Des developed the first online vet service in Ireland, Videovet and then GymDog  the first of its kind fitness and wellness centre for pets, alongside the vet practice. His latest venture, A Pets Life is an online community of pet owners and a pet food ecommerce platform.  As Des had to drop Biz-Org to do Chemistry, he later had to study in the IMI under another OC, Mr Cormac Lucey and gained some knowledge of Finance and an MBS.in 2012. A love of athletics was fostered by cross country running in Clongowes and has completed all the big city Marathons. These days Des follows Clongowes and Leinster Rugby, still rides out on the Curragh and leads a peloton of mamils in Kildare Cycling Club notwithstanding two new hip joints. He hosts a weekly animal welfare radio slot on KFM Radio and podcasts A Pets Life on spotify. His son Daniel attended Clongowes until 2020 where his art talent was encouraged and he now studies in the NCAD. Tom is in poetry and working on his academy. Des has one remaining ambition which is to speak in the Past Vs Present Debate.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/portraitsofclongowes/message

Live at the first annual HRAI Heat Pump Symposium in Toronto, ON, we talk with Erik Rasmussen of Master, Paul Willmus of Johnson Controls and Jim Bolger from Waterloo Energy Products. https://www.heatpumpsymposium.ca/ www.cintas.com/HVACKnowItAll Save 8% on your purchase https://www.trutechtools.com/ with promo code knowitall Check out the HVAC Know It All app app.hvacknowitall.com https://www.hvacknowitall.com/pages/about Visit HVAC Know It All on social media Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hvacknowitall/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/

The Ballinhassig Village Association fundraised to create their own flood relief scheme for their homes which were flooded again this month.We talk to Dinny Finn who is one of the residents affected.Jim Bolger from the GAA has advice for parents when buying a safety helmet for their children. Author Elanor O'Kelly - Lynch joins us in studio to talk about her 2nd book, 'The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes'All your gardening questions answered by Peter Dowdall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We hear from Jim Bolger , chair of the GAA's Hurling Helmet Safety working group.

I think David Seymour has reason to be pretty salty if he isn't given the Deputy Prime Minister's job. This is not really about whether the job is really a job or whether it's just ceremonial. The fact is- it is a title. And that title implies seniority, it means whoever gets the Deputy Prime Minister role is the second most senior person in the Government. And it would be pretty bizarre if National gave that to Winston Peters over David Seymour, given how many times National told us before the election they really didn't want to have to work with Winston. Chris Luxon said it, Chris Bishop said it, Nicola Willis said it- and they weren't subtle. Nicola Willis said: “I don't want to go into Government with NZ First" Now we understand they didn't have a choice about going into Government in the end, but that is very different to making Winston the second most senior person in Government when he doesn't even have the second biggest party in the Government. It would be pretty insulting to David Seymour, especially given how close Seymour and Luxon worked together in the lead up to the election. The best argument for Winston to get the job is experience, but I'm not super convinced by that argument. There is a long list of people who've gone straight into the Deputy Prime Minister's job without having done a single day in Cabinet before. Don McKinnon under Jim Bolger, Geoffrey Palmer under David Lange- you can go back through history and find more. Probably the thing that counts most against David for the job is that he's plugged so hard for it when he's previously made is sound like he's not interested in the baubles of office. But then again, that's something he and Winston now have in common isn't it? Probably the easiest solution to this problem is to not pick between the two of them, but split the job instead. Whether with a time share- one does 18 months then hands it over to the other to do 18 months, or we just have two Deputy Prime Ministers. But it still doesn't solve that awkward problem, does it? The guy who the Nats really did want to work with is now sharing the job of equal seniority with the guy they really didn't want to work with. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It appears Christopher Luxon's tight lid on things could be about to blow, with all this talk about who is and who isn't going to be Deputy Prime Minister in the new government. If I was National's deputy leader Nicola Willis, I'd be finding it hard to keep the smile on the dial. But she's managing it so far, from what I've seen of her on TV outside the hotel in Auckland. Because I would have thought that she was a shoe-in to be 2-I-C. But not so. Well, not according to ACT leader David Seymour. He's saying that, of the three parties signing up to the coalition, ACT is the second-largest (based on share of the vote) and so it should get more seats around the Cabinet table than NZ First. And one of those seats should be the Deputy Prime Minister's seat. As one reporter pointed out, if that was to happen - if we had Christoher Luxon Prime Minister and David Seymour deputy - they would be the least experienced PM and Deputy combo in New Zealand history. Because neither of them have been in Cabinet before and Luxon is only into his second term in Parliament. What that reporter didn't say, is that if Nicola Willis is deputy - the Luxon/Willis combo would be even less experienced. Because Seymour has four years more experience as an MP than Nicola Willis. He got into Parliament in 2014. Nicola Willis was elected four years later. And like Luxon and Seymour, Nicola Willis has never been a Cabinet minister before, either. So, if choosing who of the three becomes Deputy Prime Minister based on experience, Winston Peters wins hands down, doesn't he? What's more, he knows what the job is all about. He's been Deputy Prime Minister twice. The first time with Jim Bolger. The second time with Jacinda Ardern. And you'd be crazy not to think that, right now, he'll be gunning to be Deputy Prime Minister for a third time. I would if I was him. You would too, wouldn't you? But, until Luxon put down the pre-election welcome mat for NZ First, Seymour was probably thinking that if it wasn't going to be Nicola Willis, then he'd be the person for the job. Because, there was ACT, polling above the 10 percent mark a lot of the time. The final result wasn't quite what he would have expected. ACT ended up getting 8.64 percent (or 11 seats) while NZ First got 6.08 percent (or 8 seats). So, with just three seats difference between them, I think Seymour's belief that ACT is the dominant minor coalition partner is a bit of a stretch. And I can't work out whether this is Seymour throwing his toys out of the cot because he's already been told he won't be Deputy Prime Minister. Or is he warming us up to the fact that he is? But I think for Christopher Luxon to trot out this line that the Deputy Prime Minister role is not much more than “ceremonial”. That was the word he used yesterday. He said it's a ceremonial role. Just someone who looks after the shop when the PM's not around. They don't really do much. For him to say that, either shows just how inexperienced he is. Or that's what he told David Seymour when he told him he's not going to be 2-I-C. And so now, we've got Seymour going against the whole confidential approach they've taken during these coalition talks, and he's telling us why he should be deputy. Luxon's very obviously brassed-off. He threw-in another Weetbix joke when he was asked about it. But you can see through that. He wasn't laughing on the inside. And he said as much when he pointed out that all parties had agreed to keep the talks confidential. He also said that he want “the right person in the right place - with the right skills, abilities and experience and competency to do the job.” So if he wants someone with “experience”, then Winston's his man. And if he wants a deputy he can rely on and trust they aren't going to go AWOL when he's off pressing the flesh around the world, David Seymour isn't his man. Because, what David Seymour's been doing over the past 24 hours, tells me he is completely unfit to be Deputy Prime Minister. What's more, this is the guy who threatened before the election not to go into coalition and to sit in the cross-benches because “he's not there for the baubles of power”. What a load of old nonsense that turned out to be. But, even though Winston Peters has been Deputy Prime Minister twice before, there is no way the leader of a party that only scraped past the five percent threshold should be Deputy Prime Minister. That's why I'm in no doubt that the person who should be Deputy Prime Minister, is Nicola Willis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Deputy Prime Minister disagrees the role's largely ceremonial. Prime Minister-elect Chris Luxon has confirmed policies have been settled in Coalition talks - and negotiations have turned to ministerial roles. ACT's David Seymour made a public pitch for Deputy, but Luxon has downplayed the role's importance. Sir Don McKinnon was the deputy to Jim Bolger in his National Government, under the single-party system. He says under MMP it can be someone from a different party, but the duties are real. "You're there to do things that your leader, your Prime Minister, doesn't want to do, meet the people he doesn't want to meet, go to the places he doesn't get time to go to." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Helen Clark has dropped a bombshell. Saying that she reckons if Winston Peters doesn't like what he's being offered in a coalition deal with National and ACT, he'll turn around and try and stitch something up with Labour. Now I know the first thing you might say to that, is ‘what about Chris Hipkins saying he would never work with Winston again'? Well, a couple of things on that. If Labour really wanted to get back into government and a deal with NZ First was the meal ticket, one of two things could happen. Hipkins could fall on his sword and step aside. Or they could dump him. The other thing is, let's remember what Chris Hipkins himself has been saying this week since being reaffirmed as leader. Everything is back on the table. So far that's all been about taxation - in particular, the idea of a wealth tax and a capital gains tax. So if everything's back on the table, why wouldn't a coalition arrangement with NZ First be on the table as well? To pull it off, the Greens and Te Pati Māori would also have to be onside. Te Pāti Māori has six seats. The Green Party has 15. Labour has 34. And NZ First has eight seats. Add them all up and you get 63 seats. A majority. National has 48 seats. ACT has 11 seats. And with NZ First's eight seats, you get 67. A slightly larger majority. But what Helen Clark is saying, is that National and ACT shouldn't be taking things for granted and think that they are NZ First's only options. As she points out, in 1996 Winston banged on about not letting National become government again. And then, what did he do after keeping us all waiting for weeks and weeks and weeks? He put National into government again. The way he explained it, though, was that a National/NZ First coalition government was different than a National government. Weasel words, yes. But at least he satisfied himself that he hadn't gone back on his promise to get rid of the National government. This time around, he said NZ First “will not return Labour to power”. In a way, exactly the same thing. In 1996, he said he wouldn't allow a National government to return and claimed that a National/NZ First government was different. He could say exactly the same thing if he went with Labour. A Labour/NZ First/Greens/Te Pati Māori government would not be returning Labour to power. In his mind, anyway. Another thing you might be thinking about this is the likelihood of the Greens and Te Pati Māori having any interest in being in government with NZ First. On paper, both those parties would run a mile. But do you think it's possible, a few weeks down the track since the election, that the Greens and Te Pati Maori are looking at the record number of MPs they've ended up with and thinking that they're all a bit wasted in opposition? I'd be thinking that if I was them. And as for Labour itself. I know it's saying that it's going to use the next three years to “take stock” and “digest” the election result, and rebuild for the 2026 election. But still hold the government to account blah, blah blah. But do you really think that, if it had a choice, Labour would go with three years of digesting and taking stock? Or do you think it would go with another three years in government? Just like if I was the Greens or Te Pati Maori, if I was Labour, I'd take government over opposition any day. Wouldn't you? So I'm not going to write Helen Clark's comments off. And, as Jim Bolger is saying today too - which I see as a bit of a warning for National and ACT - he's saying that the current negotiations could go on for a couple of months like they did back in 1996. He's says Winston Peters is a very experienced and smart political leader. Anybody who goes into with Peters thinking he's a pushover is stupid. That's what former National leader Jim Bolger is saying. But on Helen Clark's comments. I think she's on the money. I agree with her when she says anything is possible. A lot of dead rats would have to be swallowed by Labour, the Greens and Te Pati Maori. But politicians are very good at that. And think about this. If Helen Clark - former Labour Prime Minister and endorser of Labour's election campaign this year - if she's saying that a Labour-led government involving NZ First is a possibility, then I'm listening. She is still very much connected to the party. And if she was convinced that there is absolutely no way Labour would do a flip-flop and get a deal together with NZ First, then she would be saying so today. But she's not.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you want to predict the future, sometimes it pays to look to the past - especially when Winston Peters continues to be one of our most influential political figures, more than four decades after entering Parliament. So, we talked to Jim Bolger and Helen Clark - two Prime Ministers who worked with Winston in Government. We wanted a steer on what he's like, how he negotiates - and what Christopher Luxon should be wary of.

After the 2014 election, Peter Dunne got a phone call from Prime Minister John Key to say National wouldn't need the support of United Future to form a Government. The same call was made to the Act and Māori parties, which had also signed confidence and supply agreements after the 2011 election. Key invited all three parties to stay in the tent, if they wanted, but said there wouldn't be any policy concessions or negotiations. They took the deal. “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” Dunne said, in an interview for interest.co.nz's Of Interest podcast.“About 10 days later, the specials came in and National had lost a couple of seats, and its outright majority, and suddenly realised they had a problem”. Key and his team came back to the three parties and asked to renegotiate the newly-signed confidence and supply agreements into a more substantial and specific arrangement.Dunne, and the others, refused: “I said, no, we've got a signed piece of paper here”. “National, ended up in the worst of all worlds. It had supply partners they hadn't conceded anything to. All it was getting from us was confidence and supply. Everything else had to be negotiated case by case”.“If they'd been a little less impatient, and waited till the specials they could have got better deals”.This memory might be a factor in why National and New Zealand First have been holding out for the final vote count. The numbers might shift around in unpredictable ways. Once the special votes are reported, Dunne thinks a Government could form quite quickly. He said it was partly Christopher Luxon's leadership style. But also because Parliament has to sit by mid-December, and the National won't want that to happen under a caretaker government. The National leader's message, that he would not provide blow-by-blow commentary on the negotiations, was more directed at Winston Peters than at the media. “I thought he was also sending a pretty clear warning to Act and New Zealand First: don't you either.” “Because, if you look at New Zealand First's track record, they like to control negotiations, they like to be the ones that sort of indicate where things are at”.It was an “unedifying spectacle” in 1996 and 2017 when Jim Bolger and Jacinda Ardern found out they would be Prime Minister, only when Peters announced it on live television. “The bronze medal winner shouldn't tell the gold and silver medals who they are. I think Luxon is trying to guard against all that sort of thing happening again”. Listen to the rest of the interview for more insight into negotiating a coalition.*You can find all episodes of the Of Interest podcast here.

One of the ironies of MMP and the fact this year's election marked its 30th birthday, if birthday is the right word to use, was that a recommendation had been made years earlier over some sort of electoral reform, but nothing had been done about it.  But in a debate with Jim Bolger, David Lange promised that he would look to hold a vote on it if returned to power.  Sort of like David Cameron promised, under pressure, to have a vote on Brexit, never assuming in his wildest dreams that people would actually vote to leave Europe.  But reform it we did and here we are 10 elections later still wondering if it was all it was cracked up to be.  The greatest lesson is that there is no perfect electoral system.  The last Labour Government, with their First Past the Post numbers, surely nailed the coffin shut on any form of debate around resurrecting FPP.  If you wanted a show of a tin ear and blind arrogance and all that is weak about the old system, the Labour Government of 2020 to 2023 was it. But in this election alone we have several of the MMP frailties on show.  There will be an overhang, both from the Māori seats and an overhang from Port Waikato, based on a rule very few knew even existed, far less how bizarre it was. And, once again, a minor player may or may not have an outsider role when it comes to participating in the Government.  What both systems have managed to throw up is the frailty of democracy itself. Not that having a one person, one vote system is bad. But the outworkings can be.  From the very minor parties who literally wasted their time and money to drum up a percent or two's worth of support to no end whatsoever, to the ongoing confusion among so many three decades on as to just how the system works and the belief that a level of manipulation and control is available with your two votes, when nothing of the sort exists at all.  As I have said before, I honestly can't remember how I voted in 1983 when we held that binding referendum. It would have been my first vote, given I had just turned 18, but what I do remember is, like most elections, many turned up without a real clue as to just what it was they were voting for. As a result, a certain level of surprise and disappointment ensued.  But at 30 it's too late. We won't change it, we won't revisit it, we had a crack and it went nowhere.  It is what it is. But that's the point - what is it?  I'd say it's something OK, without being anywhere close to great. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Returning to the campaign trail now and National is sounding the alarm warning a second election could be on the cards if forming a coalition govenrment proves too difficult. Leader Christopher has said he will work with Winston Peters post-election if he has too. Current polling suggests that National and Act will need New Zealand first to get over the line. But at the weekend, the party's campaign chair Chris Bishop raised what he described as the "very real and growing possibility" that Aotearoa might need an election redo if there's an even split on the left and right or it's not possible to form a three way coalition. Winston Peters claims the comments are a sign of panic and scaremongering. Former prime Minister and National Leader Jim Bolger knows how to get a deal done. Following a fractious relationship with Winston Peters he still managed to for the country's first MMP gvernment with NZ first. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6338706581112

Remember the old Ministry of Works? Reckon we need it back again? I reckon we do. Because we have another example today of what happens when you rely on governments and individual organisations to run big infrastructure projects. So think of all the drama over the new stadium in Christchurch. Think of all the money wasted on the Auckland Harbour Bridge cycleway that went absolutely nowhere. The City Rail Link blow-outs. KiwiBuild. You name any big infrastructure project in recent times and it seems that we have just become hopeless at doing stuff we used to be brilliant at. So the latest example that we're hearing about is the big Scott Base rebuild. Which has been put on hold because the Government and Antarctica New Zealand can't agree on a deal with the contractor. What's happened with this particular project, is Antarctica New Zealand got just over $500 million from the New Zealand Government to rebuild Scott Base. But, as always happens with these things, the cost of the whole thing has headed northwards and they haven't been able to come to an agreement with the contractor. This is Leigh's Construction, by the way. A very successful Christchurch-based outfit, which really came into its own after the earthquakes. And it is the preferred contractor for the work. Which involves the new structures for the base being built in Timaru and eventually being shipped down to Antarctica. And the reason this work is all happening in the first place, is because Antarctica New Zealand wants to make sure it's set-up for research work at Scott Base for the next 50 years. So it's come up with this plan for three new inter-connected buildings and to upgrade the wind farm down there. I do get the sense that maybe they've done the usual thing and gone for the gold-plated option and told themselves that they'll make it work come hell or high water. But that wing-and-a-prayer approach doesn't seem to be working and we're finding out today that things have come to a halt. And they're going to do a review - not exactly sure yet what that's going to involve - but it is going to be done by internal and external experts. Which, as you and I know, will involve more money. It's amazing that work even started in the first place without an agreed contract. Which is why I reckon these big public projects need to be run by an outfit that knows how to run these kinds of things. An outfit like the Ministry of Works. Because, back in its day, the MOW did all sorts of stuff. It built railway lines, tunnels, hydro dams, motorways. It was also involved in other things like airport developments. It was originally known as the Department of Public Works. Eventually it became the Ministry of Works. And it operated from 1870 until 1993 - when Jim Bolger's National government dished out its policy work to other government departments and created a new State-Owned Enterprise, with two divisions: Works Consultancy Services and Works Civil Construction. Three years later they were sold off and that was the final chapter in the Ministry of Works story. But who says it couldn't make a comeback? Because, when you think about it, it is crazy that we expect the likes of Antarctica New Zealand to run its project and do all the negotiating and procuring. Then we expect every other outfit using public money to do the same with their big projects. All working in complete isolation from each other. We've got Waka Kotahi doing the roads. We've got Transpower doing all the electricity infrastructure stuff. We've got local councils doing their thing. And we've got outfits like Antarctica New Zealand and the government running the big Scott Base rebuild project. But if we had something like the old Ministry of Works, that could all be co-ordinated. I'm not saying it would be free of political interference. That would be impossible. But how many more examples do you need, to show that we have lost our way when it comes to big infrastructure? Waka Kotahi is a prime example of an outfit trying to do too much and failing. Imagine if its job was just the road safety stuff and we had another nationwide infrastructure agency building and maintaining the roads. Building all the state houses the government wants to build. Building new motorways. And, yes, even building the new base in Antarctica.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So the clocks went forward one hour yesterday morning.  And then, today, National leader Christopher Luxon winds them back again. In fact, he's wound the clocks back to 2017. Which is the last time we had Winston Peters deciding the outcome of an election.   And today, it looks like there's potential for that to happen all over again this time around. Because Luxon says that, if he has to after the election, he will be getting on the blower to Winston Peters and talking turkey about including NZ First in a coalition government.  After weeks and weeks of dancing on the head of a pin over this, Luxon has said pretty much the complete opposite of what Labour's Chris Hipkins said a few weeks back.   Hipkins said he's not in the least bit interested in forming a government with Winston Peters.  But Luxon has gone completely in the other direction. He is shaking off the welcome mat, he's got it out in the backyard, whacking it with a broomstick, getting it all nice and clean and says he will be rolling it out for Winston Peters if he has to. If that's what he needs to do to form a government and get rid of the current Labour government.  And if he does that, it could even mean Winston Peters being Deputy Prime Minister again. Because he did not rule that out when asked on Newstalk ZB this morning.   ACT leader David Seymour was being somewhat diplomatic on the radio this morning.    But I think Christopher Luxon has made a big mistake. Not because I necessarily think he's going to need NZ First to form a government. He might, who knows.  I think he's made a mistake because it makes him look desperate. I hear what he's saying about doing whatever it takes to get a change of government. But David Seymour and Winston Peters?   Can I take you back to 2017 and something one of Luxon's National Party predecessors said.  This is Jim Bolger, who knows full well what it's like to be in a coalition. Especially a coalition with New Zealand First. Here's what he said about forming coalitions.  "You have to be able to put past differences in the past, leave them in the past and look at what you can do. Because what you're talking about is forming a government for the future, not to re-litigate the past.”  That was Jim Bolger six years ago. Jim Bolger who not only formed a coalition government with Winston Peters, but also kicked Winston Peters out of Cabinet in 1992. The Jim Bolger who, four years later, welcomed him back like the prodigal son.  I don't think that sort of kissing and making-up would ever happen between David Seymour and Winston Peters. And I think Christopher Luxon is dreaming if he thinks otherwise.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, good news last night for National.   Labour must be left wondering how many more election bribes they'll have to offer before voters begin to nibble. The latest Newshub Reid Research Poll that came out last night has seen National shoot up 4.3 points to 40.9%, and Labour suffered a 5.5% fall from the last Newshub poll, they're on just 26.8%.   But before gleeful right and centre right voters pull the cork on the St Emilion premier cru that you have cellared for the day those bloody socialists are booted out of office, just remember it is only a poll. And as Jim Bolger once famously said, buggar the polls.   As we've seen around the world, the pollsters were way off when it came to predicting the results of Brexit, the Trump Clinton presidential campaign, and the 2019 Australian election. And as an article in The Conversation shows, in this country in 2020, the polls immediately prior to the election overestimated the National vote and underestimated Labour's.   They took the average of the results of all six polls published during the month before Election Day in 2020. National came out on 30.9%, Labour on 47.2%. But predictions based on the opinion polls were wrong. Labour's election result was 50%, National was not 30.9% they were only 25.6%. So the polls in the final fortnight were overestimating National by an average of 5.8 percentage points and underestimating Labour by 3.7. Lots of numbers, but basically, beware the polls.    Apparently we, as in Kiwis, used to be relatively forthright when it came to answering questions delivered by pollsters. We'd happily pin our colours to the mast and let complete strangers know our political preference. Not anymore.   Social media has fragmented opinion and challenged what truth is like nothing else, according to Murray Campbell, the New Zealand Research Associations Polling Spokesman. People are also careful about protecting their privacy. They're less willing to share their political viewpoints when contacted by total.   Add to that the difficulties of reaching people when landlines have all but disappeared. And door knocking isn't really an option because of the growing number of people living in apartment buildings or when homes are heavily protected by security.   So do the polls count for anything?   Well, they must do, and they must re-energize the party faithful if you're National or dampen and quash the spirits of those who are working for Labour. Certainly, in my electorate in Northcote, the party faithful for National have been out in full force. All blue jacketed, waving their signs, waving gleefully at the Onewa turnoff onto the motorway, happy as clams. Haven't seen a single person in a red shirt.   So it certainly gives a fillip to exhausted campaigners when you see a boost in the polls. But does it mean that Christopher Luxon will be thinking well, that's that then. Time to ease back, jobs done? He will not. The show is not over until the votes are counted. Election Day is the only poll that matters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former prime minister is being accused of aggressive and bullying tactics as a coastal community north of Wellington grapples with a plan to address the impacts of climate change. Jim Bolger has been tasked with community consultation through a series of public meetings in Kapiti on managed retreat and the council's project to map coastal erosion and sea level rise. At one, he suggested locals were too influenced by conspiracy theories, which didn't go down well with the crowd who are worried about what will happen as extreme weather threatens their community. Things have become so heated, the District Council has reminded Bolger of the need to remain impartial. Kate Green reports.

On Wednesday, a caller to the show - Murray - brought Winston Peters into the conversation. And we ended up agreeing on a $5 wager as to whether or not Winston Peters would be back in Parliament after the election. I said $5 he won't. Murray said $5 he will. Now I don't know if Murray has a hotline to the outfits that do the political polls - because, if he does, I'll claim insider trading - but, since making the bet, another political poll has come out giving NZ First more than five percent support. This latest one is the Taxpayers Union one and it has NZ First party vote support at 5.8 percent. That's a jump of 2.5 percent. And I think we can safely say that it's not a rogue poll because this is the third poll in a row that puts NZ First over the five percent threshold. So, if this was election day, I'd be handing over my $5 to Murray. And, if these polls are anything to go by, Murray can probably start spending that $5 because it's looking more and more like a pretty safe bet. It's looking more and more that Winston Peters and NZ First will be back in Parliament. We probably shouldn't be all that surprised -on several fronts. For starters, Winston Peters and NZ First are a bit like the Crusaders, aren't they? Not always convincing at the start but, at the business end of things, they take things up a notch and get across the line. And, as long as there are people like Murray, that's what NZ First will continue to do. The other reason we shouldn't be surprised is the fact that so many people just have no idea who they're going to vote for this year. In fact, it's deeper than that. People don't know who they want to vote for. And there's a difference. Because, if you believe in democracy and all that, you'll eventually give some party your vote. But it doesn't necessarily mean you want to vote for them. But you've got to vote for some party, so you pick the best from a bad bunch. Which is how so many people are feeling at the moment. And I reckon that's why we're seeing NZ First popping up again over the five percent mark in these political polls. You've got people thinking they don't want Labour again. Some are thinking they'd like to vote National but they don't really get Christopher Luxon - although, to be fair, he is now neck-and-neck with Chris Hipkins in personal popularity according to this poll that came out yesterday. Then you've got people who can't bring themselves to vote Green or ACT. So what do they do? Opportunities Party? Nah. They're not interested in the other teeny-tiny parties, either. Brian Tamaki, your new Christian party, the freedom fighters. No thank you. So where do these people go? They get on the bus to familiarity. That's where they go. Better the devil you know. Even if they remember how Winston Peters held the country to ransom in 1996. It was our first MMP election - the 12th of October 1996. And after the election night result came through, it was weeks before he settled on going into coalition with Jim Bolger's National Party. So these pro-Winny people seem to be willing to forget about all that. Or maybe it's so long ago, that they get all nostalgic about it. But he was still at it in 2017 when not even Labour knew he was going to go into coalition with them until he announced it on television. Talk about a circus. And it looks like the ringleader of that circus is bringing his show to town all over again. Don't get me wrong. I actually like Winston Peters. I like him for his sense of humour. I like him for his sense of style. And I really like the fact that he knows the ins-and-outs of Parliament. He knows how it works. He knows the rules. He's old school on that front - and I like that. But, man alive, he's had his day - hasn't he? Well, not necessarily it seems. Not according yesterday's poll. And the comeback most people probably thought would never happen is looking more and more likely.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reasonably significant political news today- ACT's David Seymour has absolutely ruled out working with Winston Peters in Government after the election.  Saying: “It's impossible to see us sitting around the Cabinet table.” And: "There's no way that you're going to solve the problems that New Zealand needs to solve when you've got someone who's had so many chances and screwed it up so many times before.”  Amen. I like Winston Peters, I like him a lot. But David Seymour's bang on here. How many more chances are we gonna give this guy?  The thought of Winston being able to choose or influence the next Government actually terrifies me. I don't care how many times and in how many ways he tells me- like he did on air on Tuesday- that he will not support a Labour Government into power. I do not believe him, as far as I'm concerned, Winston Peters cannot be trusted. In 1996, he told voters to: “put Jim Bolger in Opposition where he belongs”. After the election, he put Jim Bolger back into power. Lesson learned. Even if he was true to his word and didn't go with Labour, can you imagine the disaster a National Government would be with him in it?  This country is headed in completely the wrong direction. We need some serious change, but  Winston's not a change guy. Winston's a handbrake guy. He's spent the last 35+ years complaining about the reforms of the 1980s which saved this country's bacon. We need reforms again, to save us once again, can you imagine him allowing that to  happen?  Plus, we are broke. We are out of cash. Grant Robertson's holding meetings demanding Government agency bosses slash their budgets to plug a probably multi billion dollar fiscal hole as our economy slows and tax revenue drops. Winston's a spending guy. He's the guy who forced Labour to give him $3 billion in provincial growth fund money, which his party splashed around the provinces trying to win votes. And which the auditor general looked into and found was so sloppy officials weren't keeping proper notes   So no, I'm with David Seymour. I don't mind a bit of Winston in Parliament to spice things up, but I'd prefer if he stayed the hell away from Government. Especially now, when we do not have the time or the money for his game playing and expensive pet projects. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former MP Paul East has died. ZB's senior political correspondent Barry Soper says East was a former Cabinet Minister in Jim Bolger's Government. Soper says East had been ill for a very long time, and his heart goes out to his family. It comes within hours of the death of former National MP Chester Borrows. The 65-year-old was diagnosed with cancer last year. Borrows served as Courts Minister and Deputy Speaker of the House in John Key's Government, before retiring in 2017. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is widely accepted by those who follow such matters that the Waitangi Tribunal has become wildly activist. It is now, without question, a brilliant example of a decent idea gone horribly awry. As Anthony Albanese struggles to drum up support for his voice vote, which will almost certainly fail, he has looked here. In fact, many people have looked to New Zealand and our attempts over what now is many decades to rectify past wrongs. Ironically, history increasingly shows the Government's that have made the most progress have been National ones. Chris Finlayson of late and Doug Graham before him made major inroads into settlements, whereas the current Labour Government, like so much of what they do, amounts to little. Speaking of little - Andrew Little, who is in charge of treaty matters, admits as much. Anyway, the tribunal in their latest report tells the Crown off for not funding Māori adequately so they can make their claims. What makes the tribunal so activist is this sort of statement and the thinking behind it is par for the course. What is adequate? And given the system is invented, you have always needed a quid pro quo approach. What is a just settlement? Is it money, is it an apology, is it land or is it all three? Every case is individual. But somewhere along the way it's spiralled out of control. It's become an industry as individual lawyers have made millions. The tribunal seems intent on being here forever dealing with historic claims despite, if you remember, under Jim Bolger's Government there was an attempt to put a timeline on it all. That logic, by the way, still applies given its not far off 50-years-old. Surely at some point the historic claims should be registered and settled. Just how long do you need to want to rectify something you argue went wrong over 180 years ago? How many lawyers, how much research, how much funding? The path to ratification has been open since the mid 70's and we are still scrapping over funding for claims. Surely boundaries have to be drawn and timelines have to be put in place? Part of the reason the voice vote will fail in Australia is not because it's not the right thing to do, but because Albanese hasn't explained properly what he is trying to do. But also, if you look over here at a model of how to do it, it would put the frighteners up you. Good intention is one thing. A runaway train is another.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick is joined by Racing Post writer Jonathan Harding to discuss the latest news and events from around the racing world. Today, they begin by contemplating whether the BHA will bother to reschedule the Clarence House Chase should the race be lost to the weather as looks likely. They also discuss the ramifications of the Danny Brock case with regard to inside information and the newly published Economic Impact Study on behalf of the TBA, whose Deputy Chairman Philip Newton joins the show. Punter and Gambling Industry analyst Neil Channing drops in to discuss the potentially groundbreaking sanctions applied to bookmaker TonyBet by the Gambling Commission, while Nick talks to 80-year old Luk Chin, who harbours ambitions to drive a harness racing Group One in his native New Zealand while still working as a consultant anaesthetist. Martin Kelly brings us the latest from Riyadh, Racing Welfare's Jo White launches this year's mass participation fundraiser, while trainer Jim Bolger gives us the lowdown on his Classic winner Mac Swiney, who goes under the GOFFS hammer tomorrow.

Nick is joined by Racing Post writer Jonathan Harding to discuss the latest news and events from around the racing world. Today, they begin by contemplating whether the BHA will bother to reschedule the Clarence House Chase should the race be lost to the weather as looks likely. They also discuss the ramifications of the Danny Brock case with regard to inside information and the newly published Economic Impact Study on behalf of the TBA, whose Deputy Chairman Philip Newton joins the show. Punter and Gambling Industry analyst Neil Channing drops in to discuss the potentially groundbreaking sanctions applied to bookmaker TonyBet by the Gambling Commission, while Nick talks to 80-year old Luk Chin, who harbours ambitions to drive a harness racing Group One in his native New Zealand while still working as a consultant anaesthetist. Martin Kelly brings us the latest from Riyadh, Racing Welfare's Jo White launches this year's mass participation fundraiser, while trainer Jim Bolger gives us the lowdown on his Classic winner Mac Swiney, who goes under the GOFFS hammer tomorrow.

Nick is joined by broadcaster for Cornelius Lysaght to discuss the latest news and events from around the racing world. They begin by perusing the entries for the Grade One open hurdles at Cheltenham, and are joined by Harry Fry, who talks about the options open to Love Envoi, and also gives the lowdown on his three Betfair Hurdle entries, this weekend's Lanzarote and the targets for Boothill. Also on today's show, Channel 7's Lizzie Jelfs reports from Australia's Gold Coast on the Magic Millions sales and raceday, JA McGrath brings the latest from Hong Kong, while ARKEquine's Kirsty McCann tells us of a new initiative that has taken stable staff catering to new heights at Naas racecourse. Meanwhile, Jim Bolger pays tribute to US owner/breeder Virginia Kraft Payson, who has died aged 92.

Nick is joined by broadcaster for Cornelius Lysaght to discuss the latest news and events from around the racing world. They begin by perusing the entries for the Grade One open hurdles at Cheltenham, and are joined by Harry Fry, who talks about the options open to Love Envoi, and also gives the lowdown on his three Betfair Hurdle entries, this weekend's Lanzarote and the targets for Boothill. Also on today's show, Channel 7's Lizzie Jelfs reports from Australia's Gold Coast on the Magic Millions sales and raceday, JA McGrath brings the latest from Hong Kong, while ARKEquine's Kirsty McCann tells us of a new initiative that has taken stable staff catering to new heights at Naas racecourse. Meanwhile, Jim Bolger pays tribute to US owner/breeder Virginia Kraft Payson, who has died aged 92.

The master trainer talks to Rishi Persad and Steve Mellish about the key horses he has trained plus reflects on some of the great names that have worked for him over the years. 

It's time for our panel segment Pae Korero, and in honour of this special programme marking the Queen's funeral we're welcoming two special guests for our panel this morning...  former PM Jim Bolger, and former deputy prime minister Winston Peters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger met the Queen on a number of occasions, both as a Minister in Sir Robert Muldoon's Government and later as Prime Minister himself, he joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger met the Queen on several occasion both as a minister in Robert Muldoon's government and later as Prime Minister.

Trainer Jim Bolger and Racing Post's David Jennings joined Johnny Ward for this week's Friday Night Racing to preview the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Preview. HRI Racing | #EveryRacingMoment

One night,  you are sitting at home watching television.  A knock comes to the door. The caller informs you that one of your family members has a drug debt and that it has not been paid. You are told the debt is now yours. Your life is shattered.  This is only one aspect of the abuse of drugs in society. Carlow GAA clubs are taking steps to  remind their members and particularly young people about the dangers of taking drugs and where that path can lead to. Here Peter McConnon, a member of the Crime Prevention Unit, in Carlow and Kilkenny and Carlow County Board Chairman, Jim Bolger, explain what the new Drugs Ruin Lives initiative is and what part committee members  can play to spread the message in their own clubs. 

Three of our former prime ministers have co-signed a letter calling for an end to Russia's war in Ukraine. The statement was issued by the Asia-Pacific Leadership Network and warns that the war in Ukraine creates a risk of nuclear escalation for as long as it continues. Helen Clark, Jim Bolger and Sir Geoffrey Palmer all put their name to it. Helen Clark joined Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVE 

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.   The Government's PCR Testing: 3/10 "58,000 tests a day, no worries. Whoops, wrong again."   Phase 3 of Omicron Response: 5/10 "Anything that gives the control and decision making back to us and away from those idiots in Wellington is welcome."   Bryan Betty: 8/10 "He's the College of GPs head. He said we need to change our attitude to Omicron, that it's a cold, that it's not Delta, and there is too much fear. Well said that man."   Jim Bolger's Call to Meet the Wellington Protestors: 6/10 "Just meet them and just listen, he said. Not bad advice. How hard can it be?   Remember when we had actual leaders that tackled the tough days and not just the good ones that came with photos?"   Zero Road Deaths Campaign: 3/10 "More delusional wastage. Of course, we want no road deaths, but it isn't happening, hasn't happened anywhere, and never will. Spend your money on stuff that works."   Waikato Chamber of Commerce's Te Huia Report: 8/10 "For confirming what most of us already knew but proved it with statistics. It's slow, it costs too much, it doesn't save congestion, and it doesn't save the environment.   Warriors: 7/10 "Melbourne, beat them, and beat them easily. This is our year."   Super Rugby Pacific: 6/10 "A crowd would be nice. But the Crusaders are winning, so that's what really counts."  LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEWSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police say they are committed to returning the streets of Wellington to Wellingtonians, as a former Prime Minister says politicians should meet with the protesters. In a statement released last night Assistant Commissioner Richard Chambers said Monday morning's operation was largely peaceful but the behaviour they have seen in the past few days show that genuine protestors are no longer in control of the behaviour in and around Parliament. Asssistant Commissioner Chambers said spillage of effluent into storm water drains, throwing of human waste at police officers, disruption and intimidation at the courts and the University were unacceptable and those who wish to resist Police can expect enforcement action to be taken. On Monday night tensions between protesters and police boiled over gain outside Parliament. One man resisted arrest while being forced into a police van, while a woman tried to wrestle him back from police. When she was pushed back, she threw a bottle of water at officers, which led to a tussle between protesters and police. The protesters then set off fireworks. Despite these events former Prime Minister Jim Bolger says political leaders need to "get off their high horses" and meet with the protestors. He says dialogue is the only way to end the disruptive impasse in central Wellington. He told RNZ poltical reporter Anneke Smith that the essential principal of democracy is that leaders listen to people and the Prime Minister should hear what the protestors have to say.

Out of all the political speeches that have been made this week, Kevin Milne speaks to Jack Tame about an interview Jack did with Jim Bolger which impressed him the most."In my mind, the interview was remarkable."LISTEN ABOVE

Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger; who was National Party leader from 1986 until 1997, joins Karyn to discuss Christopher Luxon's new appointment as leader of the National Party.

Nick is joined by Racing Post Senior Writer Lee Mottershead to discuss the day's latest news and developments from around the horseracing world. They lead with the ever more absorbing story of the UK jockeys' championship, noting the support given to William Buick from some former supporters as he tries to close the gap on Oisin Murphy, while Nick talks to Buick's agent Tony Hind. With the news that Poetic Flare is retired to stud in Japan, Jim Bolger explains at length to Nick why he took the decision to draw stumps and sell the horse. Nick and Lee continue the build up to Qipco British Champions' day and, later in the show, jockey Robert Winston explains why he has made a comeback after two years out of the saddle plus JA McGrath brings his weekly report from Hong Kong.

Nick is joined by Racing Post Senior Writer Lee Mottershead to discuss the day's latest news and developments from around the horseracing world. They lead with the ever more absorbing story of the UK jockeys' championship, noting the support given to William Buick from some former supporters as he tries to close the gap on Oisin Murphy, while Nick talks to Buick's agent Tony Hind. With the news that Poetic Flare is retired to stud in Japan, Jim Bolger explains at length to Nick why he took the decision to draw stumps and sell the horse. Nick and Lee continue the build up to Qipco British Champions' day and, later in the show, jockey Robert Winston explains why he has made a comeback after two years out of the saddle plus JA McGrath brings his weekly report from Hong Kong.

The MMP political system we're all now familiar with turns 25 today. It wasn't so familliar a quarter-century ago, when the country first went to the polls under the new mixed member proportional style of voting - one tick for your favourite party, the other for your preferred local candidate. Back then it was a leap into the unknown. No politician enjoyed more of a bird's eye view of what happened on 12 October 1996 than former Prime Minister Jim Bolger. He spoke to Corin Dann.

The MMP political system we're all now familiar with turns 25 today. It wasn't so familliar a quarter-century ago, when the country first went to the polls under the new mixed member proportional style of voting - one tick for your favourite party, the other for your preferred local candidate. Back then it was a leap into the unknown. No politician enjoyed more of a bird's eye view of what happened on 12 October 1996 than former Prime Minister Jim Bolger. He spoke to Corin Dann.

Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger says he supports longer parliamentary terms.The Government's announced a two-year review of New Zealand's electoral rules.It will look at the parliamentary term, and consider whether the voting age should be lowered.Bolger told Nick Mills when he was PM, he was in favour of four years."I felt three years was too short, five years was too long and four was about the right level given the complexity of modern government and given the time it takes to make the change that is needed," Bolger said.

Nick is in for Charlotte this week and takes you through the best of the NLD Interviews in the build up to a spellbinding weekend's racing with Jim Bolger, Dermot Weld, Charlie Appleby and Johnny Murtagh. Plus, in a brand new extended interview, Pat Cummings - Executive Director of the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation - talks to Nick about the latest press release from Churchill Downs, the Navarro/Servis latest and which horses have impressed him most at Saratoga and Del Mar. Nick updates the TRC Global Rankings at the end of the show.